Uluru and Franz Joseph Glacier
Uluru and Franz Joseph Glacier

Ultimate Australia and New Zealand

23 nights from £7,679 per person

Overview

From Sydney’s iconic cityscapes to the Red Centre, steeped in Indigenous history, this is the Australia you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Then, head over to New Zealand for two weeks of exploring the cultural and natural wonders of both the North and South Islands. From glowworm caves to fjords and Maori cultural experiences, New Zealand will not disappoint. (GA – OASN)

Highlights

  • Explore Sydney's beaches
  • Join an interpretive walk through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
  • Hike Kings Canyon
  • Marvel at the striking Franz Josef glacier
  • Feast on a hangi in a Maori village
  • Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound

Itinerary Overview

3 nights Sydney, Uluru 1 Night, Kings Canyon 1 night, Alice Springs 1 night, Melbourne 3 nights, Auckland 1 night, Rotorua 2 nights, Wellington 2 nights, Kaikoura 1 night, Hanmer Springs 1 night, Franz Josef 2 night, Queenstown 3 nights, Tekapo 1 night, Christchurch 1 night

Whats included?
  • Flights & taxes
  • Accommodation
  • Checked baggage
  • ATOL protection
  • In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
Why Book with Australian Sky?
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  • Choice of airlines and the option to switch
  • A friendly, family run business with a wealth of experience.
  • Great deals on offer for multiple destinations
  • Low deposits
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Day 1

Sydney

Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.

There are no scheduled activities during the day, so settle into the hotel and take some time to explore the local area.

Overnight:Rydges Sydney Central or similar

Day 2

Sydney/Manly Beach

Sunny Sydney welcomes you, and you’ll set off straight away with your CEO to start exploring this incredible city. Begin with a walking orientation tour, taking in some of Sydney’s most famous landmarks. Make your way leisurely to Circular Quay, where you’ll board a ferry across the harbour to Manly Beach. Your CEO will highlight some must-dos while you’re in Manly, such as the scenic coastal walk to Shelly Beach and a few great spots to try some local cuisine. You can’t go wrong with fish and chips by the sea.

Overnight:Rydges Sydney Central or similar

Day 3

Sydney

Today is yours to spend however you wish. There’s an abundance of options in Sydney, so make the most of your time. You could explore The Rocks neighbourhood on foot, where you’ll also find the city's Museum of Contemporary Art. The rooftop café there is perfect for lunch or a famous Aussie coffee. Alternatively, get your adrenaline pumping by booking a jet boating tour or climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In the evening, join your CEO and fellow travellers for a meal together at a local restaurant.

Overnight:Rydges Sydney Central or similar

Meals included: Dinner

Day 4

Sydney/Yulara

Catch a flight to Yulara, the gateway to Uluru and the Red Centre. Spend the afternoon diving straight into exploration, beginning with Kata Tjuta National Park and a walk through Walpa Gorge. Watch the sunset over Uluru before heading to your tented camp. Enjoy a meal cooked outdoors, featuring plenty of local ingredients.

Overnight: Uluru Camp or similar

Meals included: Dinner

Day 5

Yulara/Kings Canyon

A sunrise over Uluru is unmissable, so rise early to witness the first light over one of Australia’s most iconic Indigenous landmarks. This morning, explore Uluru on foot with a guided walk through some of the site's most culturally significant areas. These sacred spaces are among the oldest on Earth, and learning about their cultural interpretations adds to their profound impact. Later, travel overland to the Kings Canyon region and settle into your next tented camp in the bush.

Overnight: Kings Canyon Camp or similar

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6

Kings Canyon/Alice Springs

Mornings in the desert bring cooler temperatures, making it the perfect time to set out early for a hike around Kings Canyon. You can choose between a more challenging three-hour hike or a gentler one-hour option. The Rim Walk is a 6km trail along the upper rim of Kings Canyon. The toughest part is right at the start, with a 500-step climb, but the stunning landscapes and breathtaking views at the top make the effort more than worthwhile. (Almost enough to make you forget the climb—well, sort of!) If you’d prefer a more relaxed option, enjoy a 2km walk through the canyon valley. Later, rest up as you travel east to Alice Springs.

Overnight: Alice Springs Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7

Alice Springs/Melbourne

Alongside its rich Indigenous history and culture, Alice Springs is also home to the Telegraph Station, which in the 19th century linked Australia from top to bottom. This telegraph connection integrated Australia into the broader network of the British Empire, enabling communication with the rest of the world in hours rather than days. Take some time to learn about the difficult history associated with the site, particularly when the station ceased its telegraph operations and became a boarding house for Indigenous children.

Overnight: Causeway 353 Hotel or similar

Day 8

Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the most walkable cities, with excellent public transport, so expect to get plenty of steps in today. Start your morning with a guided tour of the city’s famous laneways, exploring both well-known and hidden spots. Then, join your CEO at the Queen Victoria Market, where you can pick up lunch from one of the many food stalls. Spend the afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a vast 38-hectare green space home to over 800 plant species from around the world.

Overnight: Causeway 353 Hotel or similar

Day 9

Melbourne

Another Australian city brimming with activities, a free day here gives you plenty of time to plan your ideal adventure. You might choose to visit Phillip Island to witness the Penguin Parade or set off on a full-day tour along the Great Ocean Road.

Overnight: Causeway 353 Hotel or similar

Day 10

Melbourne/Auckland

Bid farewell to Australia and fly south to the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand. Upon arrival, enjoy a free day in Auckland. Explore the city, take a trip up the Sky Tower, catch a ferry to Waiheke Island, renowned for its wineries, or relax on one of the many beaches that surround the city.

Overnight: Nesuto Stadium Hotel & Apartments or similar

Day 11

Auckland/Rotorua

Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, located over an active geothermal zone and renowned for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop along the way at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Enjoy a boat ride through this stunning underground world, where you can witness thousands of flickering glowworms illuminating the darkness.

Overnight: Sudima Lake Rotorua or similar

Day 12

Rotorua

Visit Rotorua and choose to explore the geothermal area or go white-water rafting. In the evening, visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a hangi meal, and entertainment.

Rotorua is located over an active volcanic zone, featuring bubbling mud pools and multi-coloured thermal springs in various areas around the town. You can either visit one of these sites or opt for white-water rafting nearby.

Top Tip: If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set while in New Zealand, we recommend pre-booking your tickets before you arrive. Hobbiton can be visited as a day trip from either Auckland or Rotorua.

Overnight: Sudima Lake Rotorua or similar

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Day 13

Rotorua/Wellington

Enjoy the ever-changing scenery of the North Island as you make your way to the capital, Wellington.

Overnight: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14

Wellington

Soak up the atmosphere in this laid-back yet vibrant city. After an orientation walk, you'll have a free day to explore at your leisure. You might choose to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the Botanical Gardens.

Overnight: Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington or similar

Day 15

Wellington/Kaikoura

Fly to the South Island and make your way to the seaside town of Kaikoura, famous for its rich marine life. Stop along the way for a wine tasting at a local winery.

Overnight: Sudima Hotel Kaikoura or similar

Meals included: Dinner

Day 16

Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs

Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. You may choose to go on a whale-watching tour in search of giant sperm whales, or take a tour to swim in the open ocean in an area frequently visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs, where you can opt to relax in the hot springs.

Overnight: Drifters Inn Hanmer Springs or similar

Day 17

Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef

Take in the breathtaking scenery as you journey across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, where you'll stay in the rainforest near the world's fastest-moving glacier.

Overnight: Rainforest Retreat or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 18

Franz Josef

Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. You may choose to discover the glacier with a heli-hike.

There are numerous optional activities in the area to suit nearly any budget and preference. Consider heli-hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving, lake kayaking, or a visit to the hot pools.

Overnight: Rainforest Retreat or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 19

Franz Josef/Queenstown

Continue on to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With stunning scenery and a wealth of activities, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

Overnight: Heartland Hotel or similar

Day 20

Queenstown

With some free time here, you might choose to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also originated here!), skydiving, or hiking. Alternatively, take a more leisurely approach by riding the gondola to the top of a local peak.

Consider pre-booking the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page in advance to include this option in your tour.

Overnight: Heartland Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 21

Queenstown

Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife before returning to Queenstown for the night.

Overnight: Heartland Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 22

Queenstown to Tekapo

Travel north through the heart of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking in the region, soaking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about the mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor Centre before embarking on a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.

Overnight: Codley Hotel or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 23

Tekapo to Christchurch

Continue on to Christchurch and take part in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one last night together with the group.

Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little slice of England in New Zealand, which is still recovering from a devastating earthquake.

Overnight: Bealey Quarter or similar

Day 24

Christchurch

Today your adventure comes to an end. Head to the airport for your flight home

Meals included: Breakfast

 

  • International flights and domestic flights
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
  • Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
  • Melbourne laneways walk
  • Guided walk at Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
  • Sunset at Uluru
  • Guided Hiking at Kings Canyon
  • Visit to Telegraph Station
  • Ferry to Manly Beach
  • Visit to Victoria Market
  • Visit to Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne
  • Waitomo Glowworm caves visit
  • Orientation walk in Wellington and Christchurch
  • Wine tasting
  • Fiordland National Park visit with Doubtful Sound day cruise
  • Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
  • Free time in Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Hotels (21 nts), Desert Tented camp with shared facilities (2nts)
  • 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners (Allow USD910-1185 for meals not included)

 

  • 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road - From £85.00
  • Queenstown Jet Boating - From £79.00

Please note that rates can change at any time without notice

 

Pack light, as you'll need to carry your own luggage. We recommend keeping your bag under 15kg/30lb and avoiding large suitcases. Most travellers use small to medium-sized backpacks or rolling bags. Also, bring a day pack for water, cameras, and electronics.

Jenn Hillyar
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